Khudawand, khuda, khud (master, God, Self // خداوند, خدا. خد)
54 x 16”, scrap fabrics, muslin, paints, coins, mirrors, embroidery thread, and rubber mask, 2023.

Traditional Afghan dresses feature intricate patterns, mirrors, beadwork, and embroidered details, along with beaded talismans. These garments offer protection from external and supernatural forces. This particular dress intentionally exposes its imperfections, symbolized by visible stitches, rips, spatters, and symbolic elements like the devil’s face and talismanic dolls. It serves as a metaphor for Afghanistan’s enduring struggle against centuries of external aggression and internal complicity. This dress challenges simplistic portrayals of Afghan society, highlighting its diverse culture, including Farsi-speaking communities influenced by Sufi poets and a more fluid approach to gender roles. It pushes back against one-dimensional narratives used to justify intervention.